Archive for the ‘Skoda’ Category

A headier, sportier version of Skoda’s popular crossover, the Kodiaq, will be ready for delivery to UK customers in February. On this occasion the Czech automaker announced the pricing and specifications of the highly anticipated Skoda Kodiaq SportLine, revealing a base price of £32,685.

Now that might seem to some a searingly high sum, but Skoda Kodiaq SportLine comes with so much kit, it really isn’t hard justifying its price tag. You get a full exterior package consisting of 20-inch Vega Anthracite alloy wheels, deeper front and rear sport bumpers, and black accents on the radiator grille, roof rails, door mirror housings and side window trims. Inside, too, you get extras such as leather sports steering wheel, carbon effect dashboard and door inserts, along with Alcantara-trimmed sports bucket seats and door panels.

Another highlight of 2018 Skoda Kodiaq SportLine is the wide range of available drivetrain options. You can choose between four units, all-wheel-drive is standard on all of them, and there is even a DSG transmission options. Teh dual-clutch affair is fitted as standard on the 2.0 TSI 180PS and 2.0 TDI 190PS, while the 1.4 TSI 150PS and 2.0 TDI 150PS engines are available with the choice of manual or DSG. In terms of equipment, in addition to the SE-L spec features, you get seven seats, Columbus infotainment system with 9.2″ touchscreen display and integrated Wi-Fi, electrically operated boot and Drive mode select.

Skoda is gearing up to expand its lineup with a fresh batch of all-electric vehicles. The Czech-based automaker says it hopes to offer customers five new battery-powered models in less than a decade.

While stateside customers are probably a bit unfamiliar, car buyers elsewhere know all about Skoda. The brand sold 1.13 million units worldwide last year, and now, it looks like further expansion is in the cards. Operating under the banner of the Volkswagen Group, Skoda hopes to carry the torch of VW’s EV ambitions with a major electrification push over the course of the next decade.

To get the ball rolling, Skoda will start producing plug-in hybrid components for various VW models in 2019, after which the brand will offer its first all-electric vehicle in 2020. Additional EVs will follow, with production taking place at its plant in Mlada Boleslav. The plan is to get at least five new EV models on the market by 2025.

“To get the ball rolling, Skoda will start producing plug-in hybrid components for various VW models in 2019, after which the brand will offer its first all-electric vehicle in 2020.”

The first Skodas to get extra electrons will be plug-in hybrid iterations of the Superb four-door sedan and Kodiaq SUV. After that, Skoda will produce its first fully electric vehicle, which is expected to be a production-ready iteration of the Vision E concept built on VW’s EV-oriented MEB platform. Following will be high-end all-electric SUV, an affordable electric hatchback, and another compact crossover, plus a new sports car to top it off.

As a reminder, the Vision E concept that dropped in Shanghai back in March gets 300 miles per charge, AWD grip, and even some autonomous driving features, not to mention an eye-catching exterior spec. Of course, we’ll have to wait to see what makes the cut for production.

Giving their British customers even more choice, Skoda is offering the Kodiaq crossover in popular Scout trim. Equipped with distinctive visual features and some extra off-road goodies, the 2018 Skoda Kodiaq Scout hits UK market starting from £32,330.

That is a little on the pricey side for a car like the Kodiaq and a brand like Skoda. But then again, that money buys you a lot of value, quality, and practicality. 2018 Skoda Kodiaq Scout is set apart on the outside includes Scout off-road front and rear bumpers, a rear diffuser, Scout plaques on the front wings and silver door mirrors. 19-inch Crater Anthracite alloy wheels. Inside, Alcantara trimmed seats and door panels, along with wood finish dashboard and door inserts and a Scout plaque on the dashboard. And don’t forget it’s a seven-seater SUV,so it has that going for it as well.

In terms of technical goodness, Skoda Kodiaq Scout features off-road mode that adapts the chassis, engine and brake settings for rough terrain, Hill Descent Assist on steep downhill slopes, and standard ‘rough road package’ that includes a tough engine guard and underbody stone guard. Engine-wise, you can choose between a 1.4 TSI 150PS and a 2.0 TSI 180PS petrol, and a 2.0 TDI diesel with outputs of 150PS and 190PS. All models have standard four-wheel-drive, but DSG transmission is only available on some models.

To most people, the “RS” name is usually associated with Audi, representing the designation for their high performance sports cars. But true car enthusiasts know there is another “RS” brand, perhaps not as famous as the German car manufacturer’s “RennSport” brand, but just as fascinating. And we’re talking about Skoda.

14 years ago, the Czech carmaker introduced the Skoda Octavia RS, a sportier version of their popular sedan. The model was extremely well received, since it was an affordable alternative to hot hatches, also offering the interior space of a sedan. For the new Skoda, then a fresh member of the Volkswagen Group, this was an excellent marketing move, but few people know that the Skoda RS history goes way back, to the 1970’s, when Skoda was an auto brand operating behind the infamous Iron Curtain and not too popular outside Czechoslovakia.

The Skoda RS history starts in 1974, with two models dedicated to racing: the Skoda 180 RS and the Skoda 200 RS. These two cars are regarded by experts as the models that started the RS story, being a result of Skoda’s ambitions to race in different competitions and to make the brand known to people outside the former Czechoslovakia.

The Czechoslovakian sports coupes

In the spring of 1974, after only six months of development, Skoda presented three sports cars, one Skoda 180 RS and two Skoda 200 RS units. The three cars were about to form the Skoda Rally racing team that entered different competitions starting with June 1974, including rally, track racing and hill climb events.

The Skoda 200 RS was powered by a 2.0-liter engine with two Weber 45 DCOE carburetors, that produced 163 hp, was capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in less than 7 seconds and reached a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h), performance figures which were incredible for a car built in the former Czechoslovakia. The first transmission used was from a Tatra, but it couldn’t handle the massive power output so the transmission from a Porsche was used in the end.

There was also a Skoda 180 RS version available, powered by a 1.8-liter engine that produced 151 hp and 132 lb-ft (179 Nm) of torque and what’s interesting is that the 1.8-liter and the 2.0-liter engine were interchangeable.

Skoda 130 RS, a legend is born

The Skoda 200 RS was an extraordinary racing car, but the car to really start the RS legend was the Skoda 130 RS. Using the experience gathered from the 200 RS project, the Czech carmaker developed a new car, unveiled only a year later, in 1975. Called the Skoda 130 RS, it was specially designed for rally racing and five incredible years followed for the sports car that was soon nicknamed “the Porsche of the East”.

One of the most successful rally cars in the 1970’s, the Skoda 130 RS was powered by a rear mounted 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that featured a pair of Weber carburetors and produced 140 hp. Despite the body having been modified, the Skoda 130 RS remained a compact car that was 4 meters long, 1.72 meters wide and just 1.34 meters tall. Top speed was around 137 mph (220 km/h) and it was achieved thanks to an extreme weight dropping treatment. The fenders were made from fiberglass, the bonnet, roof and exterior door panels were made from aluminum, windows were made from Makrolon polycarbonate and upholstery was reduced to a minimum. The result…an incredible weight of just under 1,600 pounds (720 kg).

The racing career of the Skoda 130 RS has yet to be matched in the Czech Republic and made the carmaker famous throughout the entire Europe. Besides winning countless Czech competitions, the car’s most important international result is the 1977 Monte Carlo Rally, when the Skoda 130 RS won in its class, being driven by Czech driver Vaclav Blanha. In the general standings, the rally was won by the Lancia Stratos HF driven by Sandro Munari, followed by Jean-Claude Andruet’s Fiat 131 Abarth, with Skoda ranking 12th and 15th at the end of the rally.

The car was built between 1975 and 1980 and despite several reports claiming that the number of units varies between 200 and 500, there were only 38 units built, which makes it an extremely rare car. When production ended in 1980, the “RS” name was also retired and for 20 years there was no other Skoda RS.

The modern age

But that was about to change in the early 2000’s. Following the 1990 fall of communism in Czechoslovakia, the local government approved a partnership between Skoda and Volkswagen. By 1995 the German carmaker already had a 70% stake in Skoda. The Czech carmaker wasn’t building any spectacular cars, but all that changed when Volkswagen took control and the first model to come out of this partnership was the Skoda Fabia, which was not exactly a new model, since it was heavily based on the Skoda Favorit that was produced at that time.

The first real product of the reborn Skoda was the Octavia sedan, which was based on the Volkswagen Gold and made its official debut in 1996. But the magic happened four years later, when someone over at Volkswagen had the brilliant idea of reintroducing the RS brand, with the Octavia being considered the perfect candidate for that. The first Skoda Octavia RS was launched in 2000, immediately after a facelift for the model, and it was powered by a four-cylinder 1.8-liter turbo petrol engine that produced 180 hp and 173 lb-ft (235 Nm) of torque, available between 1,950 and 5,000 rpm. Performance figures were impressive for a car in that price range: 0 to 62 mph in 7.9 seconds (8.0 seconds for the estate version that was introduced later) and top speed of 146 mph (235 km/h).

In 2003, the RS “treatment” was also applied to the smallest member of the Skoda lineup, the Fabia. The Skoda Fabia RS was powered by a 1.9-liter TDI diesel engine that produced 130 hp and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque. Available with a six-speed manual transmission, the car accelerated from 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds and had a top speed of 127 mph (204 km/h). These were the official specs, but several journalists were able to go a lot faster, between 7.0 and 7.5 seconds from 0 to 62 mph.

The first generation Octavia RS was built until 2006, while the Fabia RS’ production ended a year later. The two cars quickly gathered a large group of fans and both next generations of Octavia and Fabia were given RS versions.

The second generation Octavia RS was introduced in 2008 and was available with two engine options: a diesel and a petrol unit. The 2.0-liter TFSI unit produces 197 hp and 207 lb-ft (280 Nm) of torque and was “responsible” for 0 to 62 mph acceleration in 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h). The diesel version’s power output was lower (170 hp) with the car almost a second slower on the 0 to 62 sprint (8.5 seconds) and it was only able to go as fast as 140 mph (225 km/h). In 2008, the engine was upgraded from unit injector to common rail and when the second generation Octavia received a facelift in 2010, the RS was also refreshed, but performance specs were left unchanged.

As for the Fabia RS Mk2, it was introduced in 2010 and is powered by the 1.4-liter TSI from the Volkswagen Golf V GTI that produced 177 hp and 180 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. The car is also available with Volkswagen’s popular DSG transmission as standard.

The current generation Skoda Octavia RS was launched last year and just like the previous one, is available with both petrol and diesel engines. The 2.0-liter TSI engine rated at 220 hp is shared with the Volkswagen Golf VII GTI, while the 184 hp diesel engine is the same as the 2.0-liter TDI unit from the Golf VII GTD. The petrol powered Octavia RS accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.8 seconds (8.1 seconds for the diesel) and reaches a top speed of 154 mph (248 km/h), 10 mph faster than the diesel.

The mystery behind the “RS” logo

There have always been different opinions among RS fans about the origins of the logo and about the reason why Skoda calls all the new models “RS” but the logo also features a “V”. One version is that Skoda added the “V” because they don’t have the rights to use the “RS” name in the United Kingdom, where it is registered by Ford. But that is not entirely accurate, because Ford actually sued Skoda, but the Czech carmaker won. Other versions claimed that the “V” stands for “Victory” or for “Vrchlabi”, the name of a production facility used by Skoda in its early days.

But all these rumors were put to rest when Skoda’s UK branch released an official reply to a customer’s letter asking this question and explained that the “V” is actually a styled version of the small symbol above the “S” in the carmaker’s name.

With orders books about to open for the new 2018 Skoda Karoq in the UK, the Czech car maker announced the official pricing and specs of the sleek crossover. From October 3 you will be able to register your interest in getting a Karoq in one of the three available trim levels of SE, SE L and Edition.

The starting price for the 2018 Skoda Karoq in Britain is £23,165 for the base model.With this SE trim you get 17-inch Ratikon alloy wheels, privacy glass, LED rear lights, dual-zone climate control, front assist, pedestrian monitor, and driver fatigue sensor as standard. Engine-wise, you have the choice of two TSI petrol units with outputs of 115PS and 150PS, and two TDI diesels also with power outputs of 115PS and 150PS. So there really is something for everyone.

What you really want though, is the Edition version, since it comes with 19-inch Crater alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, metallic paint and leather upholstery as standard. Columbus satellite navigation with 9.2-inch touchscreen display & gesture control, electrically operated boot and LED ambient lighting. Below is detailed specification for every single Karoq you will be able to order in the UK.

The Skoda Kodiaq launched for 2016 and so far has been a runaway success. Based on the second-generation Volkswagen Tiguan platform (VW’s MQB architecture), the Kodiaq offers room for five in the two-row model and seven with the third-row seats ordered. Now for 2017, the value-themed crossover gets more variety thanks to two new trims Skoda brought to the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show – the Sportline and Scout.

Hinted by the names, the Sportline trim gives the Kodiaq a more street-wise appearance, while the Scout offers a more rugged, off-road theme. Both come with plenty of additional features, making them more than just an appearance package. In fact, the Scout comes with a raised ride height and underbody skid plates and the Sportline gets a sport-tuned suspension, a G-meter, and lap timer. Both models have adaptive dampers, too. Skoda isn’t changing the Kodiaq’s drivetrain options, however. Both the Sportline and Scout are available with choices of gasoline and diesel engine options. These include a 1.4-liter gasoline four-cylinder with 150 horsepower and range to a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder with 295 pound-feet of torque. Both models come standard with AWD.

The most powerful vRS car Skoda has ever made reaches the shores of Blighty in July with a starting price of £27,595. The 2018 Skoda Octavia vRS 245 comes in both hatchback and estate guises and a choice of a six-speed manual or a new seven-speed DSG transmission.

The heart of the Skoda Octavia vRS 245 is a 2.0 TSI four cylinder vRS powerplant with 245 horsepower, hence the name, coupled with a VAQ limited-slip differential. With the standard six-speed manual this bad boy can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds for the hatchback and 6.7 seconds for the estate. With the DSG, which costs considerably more, those figures drop to 6.4 and 6.5 seconds respectively.

Other equipment highlights shared with the standard vRS range include Amundsen satellite navigation with eight-inch display and integrated Wi-Fi, full LED headlights with adaptive front light system and LED daytime running lights, LED interior light pack (10 colours) and a Super sport three-spoke leather multi-function steering wheel with vRS logo and paddles for DSG-equipped models.

The new Skoda Karoq SUV is without a doubt one of the most highly anticipated new (affordable) cars to be launched this year and so it matters what sort of safety ratings it gets. The Karoq is, after all, a family utility vehicles designed to also work off road.

If you are planning to buy a Skoda Karoq, be at ease that the Czech car is about as safe as a car of this type can get right now. The gurus at Euro NCAP have put it through a battery of tests and awarded it with five stars which is the highest you can get. You would expect such a result, given that the Karoq has a rigid chassis and body thanks to its clever platform, and a series of high-end safety features, chief among which 9 airbags, three-point seat belts with belt tensioners and the ISOFIX system for attaching children’s seats, automatic door unlocking and activation of the warning hazard lights and interruption of the fuel supply in the event of a collision, the proactive occupant protection system Crew Protect Assist closes the windows and sunroof, and tensions the front seat belts.

“Euro NCAP is one of the most demanding safety tests. We are therefore proud to have achieved the best result,” says Christian Strube, Skoda Board Member for Technical Development. “The Karoq has a long list of innovative technologies and clever solutions on the board. We have increased the passive safety, despite the body shape itself making a major contribution to the safety. In addition, we have expanded the advanced assistance systems so that accidents can be avoided to an even greater extent.”

Finally, after a good deal of teasing, the new 2018 Skoda Karoq compact SUV goes official in Stockholm, providing a replacement for the popular Yeti. The Karoq is a whole different animal tan Yeti, though, a lot more capable and nicer to look at. But hopefully it’ll be just as affordable.

So let’s cut to the chase and get right down to the facts and figures that make 2018 Skoda Karoq a serious contender in this busy segment. Skoda are not joking when they say the Karoq is compact. It measures 4,382 mm in length, is 1,841 mm wide, and 1,605 mm high, with a long wheelbase of 2,638 mm (all-wheel version: 2,630 mm) and luggage compartment capacity of 521 l with the rear seats in place. With the rear seats folded down, the volume increases to 1,630 l. So even though exterior dimensions are compact, the interior room is more than decent.

As for the mechanical highlights, 2018 Skoda Karoq launches with five powertrains with displacements ranging 1.0, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0 liter and power ranging from 85 kW (115 PS) to 140 kW (190 PS). All powertrains feature turbo-charged direct injection units as well as stop-start technology and brake energy recovery. With the exception of the most powerful diesel, all drivetrains can be ordered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed DSG. The 2.0 TDI with 140 kW (190 PS) comes as standard with 4×4 drive and 7-speed DSG. The new 1.5 TSI has the special feature of cylinder deactivation.

Following the success of the Kodiaq, Czech car maker Skoda decided to launch a compact SUV to complement that car and also tap into this vast and ever-growing market. The new crossover SUV is the 2018 Skoda Karoq and it is currently being teased for its world premiere on 18 May in Stockholm.

Now for the first time we have been treated to some details about the 2018 Skoda Karoq, and we have to say it is shaping up to a be a good one. On the styling front the Karoq will be as expressive as the Kodiaq what with aggressive looking lights and three-dimensional grille and details. The design of the headlights is inspired by the rich traditions of Bohemian glass art, enhanced with a dab of technology as they feature full LED lights. The tail lighting with LED technology includes the rear lights, brake lights and fog lights.

In terms of size, 2018 Skoda Karoq is 4,382 mm long, 1,841 mm wide and 1,605 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,638 mm (all-wheel-drive version: 2,630 mm). That is the perfect size for a compact crossover and provides decent interior room and cargo space. The boot has a capacity of 521 l with the rear seats in place. This increases to 1,630 l with the rear seats folded down. In combination with the optional VarioFlex rear seats, the boot space is variable and can hold between 479 and 588 l.

Details of the powertrains and options of the Karoq are yet to be revealed. Stay tuned.

There is a certain joy to be had with affordable cars like the 2017 Skoda Rapid that you just can’t get with the more premium stuff. Granted, this car looks bland and is about as interesting to drive as a mule. But the good thing is you can treat it like a mule, because it’s cheap and you just don’t care.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the new 2017 Skoda Rapid and its Spaceback sister have nothing going for them. They are in fact pretty decent offering in the economy segment and come with refined engines and excellent features. It’s just that the way they look is not easy to live with, even by the standards of this class.

But if you decided you are okay with the design, 2017 Skoda Rapid comes with a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI engine with either 95 or 110 PS, mated to either a a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed DSG transmission. This offers a good blend of economy and sprightly(ish) performance. You also get Skoda Connect with optional WiFi, available energy-efficient bi-xenon lights as an option and the daytime running lights with LED, High Beam Assist, and plenty of space inside.

In addition to the two 1.0 TSI engines, three more engines are available for the Skoda Rapid. All engines feature brake energy recovery and a Stop-Start function and fulfill the EU6 emissions standard. The diesel engines operate with common-rail direct injection and a diesel particulate filter. There is a choice of:

There is a certain joy to be had with affordable cars like the 2017 Skoda Rapid that you just can’t get with the more premium stuff. Granted, this car looks bland and is about as interesting to drive as a mule. But the good thing is you can treat it like a mule, because it’s cheap and you just don’t care.

Of course, that doesn’t mean the new 2017 Skoda Rapid and its Spaceback sister have nothing going for them. They are in fact pretty decent offering in the economy segment and come with refined engines and excellent features. It’s just that the way they look is not easy to live with, even by the standards of this class.

But if you decided you are okay with the design, 2017 Skoda Rapid comes with a new 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI engine with either 95 or 110 PS, mated to either a a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual gearbox or an optional 7-speed DSG transmission. This offers a good blend of economy and sprightly(ish) performance. You also get Skoda Connect with optional WiFi, available energy-efficient bi-xenon lights as an option and the daytime running lights with LED, High Beam Assist, and plenty of space inside.

In addition to the two 1.0 TSI engines, three more engines are available for the Skoda Rapid. All engines feature brake energy recovery and a Stop-Start function and fulfill the EU6 emissions standard. The diesel engines operate with common-rail direct injection and a diesel particulate filter. There is a choice of:

It is a bit surprising how much interest there was in the auto world about the Skoda Vision E. At any rate, that interest is now satisfied as the concept goes on display at the Shanghai auto show and we get to see it in full glory. We also get the first official technical details on the futuristic Skoda SUV.

Before we get to the facts and figures, however, you may want to have a closer look at the Vision E and appreciate the Czech take on the whole coupe-crossover body style:

So, Skoda Vision E, it’s the first fully electrically driven concept car and it is built on the MEB (modular electrification toolkit) they have borrowed form parent company VW. The car is all-wheel-drive, obviously, thanks to a two electric motor architecture with a total power output of 225 kW. The system gives the Vision E a top speed of 180 km/h which isn’t brilliant, but it’s compensated for with great range: 500 miles on a charge. What’s more, the Vision E is level 3 autonomous-enabled. Tesla Model X beware!

It is a bit surprising how much interest there was in the auto world about the Skoda Vision E. At any rate, that interest is now satisfied as the concept goes on display at the Shanghai auto show and we get to see it in full glory. We also get the first official technical details on the futuristic Skoda SUV.

Before we get to the facts and figures, however, you may want to have a closer look at the Vision E and appreciate the Czech take on the whole coupe-crossover body style:

So, Skoda Vision E, it’s the first fully electrically driven concept car and it is built on the MEB (modular electrification toolkit) they have borrowed form parent company VW. The car is all-wheel-drive, obviously, thanks to a two electric motor architecture with a total power output of 225 kW. The system gives the Vision E a top speed of 180 km/h which isn’t brilliant, but it’s compensated for with great range: 500 miles on a charge. What’s more, the Vision E is level 3 autonomous-enabled. Tesla Model X beware!

It is a bit surprising how much interest there was in the auto world about the Skoda Vision E. At any rate, that interest is now satisfied as the concept goes on display at the Shanghai auto show and we get to see it in full glory. We also get the first official technical details on the futuristic Skoda SUV.

Before we get to the facts and figures, however, you may want to have a closer look at the Vision E and appreciate the Czech take on the whole coupe-crossover body style:

So, Skoda Vision E, it’s the first fully electrically driven concept car and it is built on the MEB (modular electrification toolkit) they have borrowed form parent company VW. The car is all-wheel-drive, obviously, thanks to a two electric motor architecture with a total power output of 225 kW. The system gives the Vision E a top speed of 180 km/h which isn’t brilliant, but it’s compensated for with great range: 500 miles on a charge. What’s more, the Vision E is level 3 autonomous-enabled. Tesla Model X beware!

It is a bit surprising how much interest there was in the auto world about the Skoda Vision E. At any rate, that interest is now satisfied as the concept goes on display at the Shanghai auto show and we get to see it in full glory. We also get the first official technical details on the futuristic Skoda SUV.

Before we get to the facts and figures, however, you may want to have a closer look at the Vision E and appreciate the Czech take on the whole coupe-crossover body style:

So, Skoda Vision E, it’s the first fully electrically driven concept car and it is built on the MEB (modular electrification toolkit) they have borrowed form parent company VW. The car is all-wheel-drive, obviously, thanks to a two electric motor architecture with a total power output of 225 kW. The system gives the Vision E a top speed of 180 km/h which isn’t brilliant, but it’s compensated for with great range: 500 miles on a charge. What’s more, the Vision E is level 3 autonomous-enabled. Tesla Model X beware!

It is a bit surprising how much interest there was in the auto world about the Skoda Vision E. At any rate, that interest is now satisfied as the concept goes on display at the Shanghai auto show and we get to see it in full glory. We also get the first official technical details on the futuristic Skoda SUV.

Before we get to the facts and figures, however, you may want to have a closer look at the Vision E and appreciate the Czech take on the whole coupe-crossover body style:

So, Skoda Vision E, it’s the first fully electrically driven concept car and it is built on the MEB (modular electrification toolkit) they have borrowed form parent company VW. The car is all-wheel-drive, obviously, thanks to a two electric motor architecture with a total power output of 225 kW. The system gives the Vision E a top speed of 180 km/h which isn’t brilliant, but it’s compensated for with great range: 500 miles on a charge. What’s more, the Vision E is level 3 autonomous-enabled. Tesla Model X beware!

Skoda is gearing up to kick Tesla’s ass with a competitor for the Model X. The production model will be Skoda’s first electric vehicle and is set to go on sale at the turn of the decade. But, before all of that happens, Skoda has decided to preview that model with an “SUVcoupe” known as the Vision E at the Shanghai Auto Show. Said to have a range of more than 300 miles, all-wheel drive, Level 3 autonomy, and a silhouette that’s sure to grind wonder boy’s gears a bit, the Vision E proves that Skoda isn’t playing around these days.

Its production equivalent will likely be toned down as far as exterior design goes, especially in the front end. But, that’s usually the case when it comes to concepts, right? Back to the subject at hand, the Vision E is just a bit shorter and wider than the new Kodiaq and is built on VW’s MEB platform. So far, we’ve yet to see official images, but Skoda saw fit to release a few sketches to keep us on ice until the Shanghai Auto Show kicks off. So, let’s dive on in and talk a little more about what’s going on with the Vision E, and what it tells us about Skoda’s future.

Well, the regular vRS version of the new Skoda Octavia has clearly not been satisfying, which is why the Czech car maker has gone ahead and launched an even hotter version. The 2017 Skoda Octavia vRS 245 is about the most badass Czech automobile you can buy. Granted, it still looks hella weird. But performance-wise it is a beauty.

As the names suggests, Skoda Octavia vRS 245 packs a 245 horsepower version of the 2.0 liter TSI engine, which means it is 15 hp more powerful than its ordinary siblings. If you think that much increase won’t make a blind bit of difference, well, it doesn’t really. Available as a hatchback or an estate, the 245 is pretty close to the original in terms of speed and acceleration with 0-60 mph in 6.6 or 6.7 seconds depending on the body style, and a top speed of 155 mph.

Czech car maker Skoda keeps expanding the range their new Kodiaq SUV is effective within by introducing new variants almost every other week now. Following the announcement about the Scout version they have now unveiled the Skoda Kodiaq Sportline which, as the name suggests, is supposed to be the dynamic variant.

As such, Skoda Kodiaq Sportline features a slightly different exterior than other models with radiator grille, roof rails, wing mirror housings and side window in black, tinted rear and tailgate windows, silver trim underneath the rear bumper, custom badges, body-colored protective parts, and 19-inch alloy wheels in a special new design (20 inch available). Skoda hasn’t lowered the ride height and refrained from using low-slung body kit so the car still retains its above average off-road capabilities.

Speaking of off-road abilities, Skoda Kodiaq Sportline comes with all-wheel-drive as standard on all trim levels which is good for a car in this price range. You get a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines including 1.4 TSI 150-PS, 2.0 TSI 180-PS, 2.0 TDI 150-PS, and 2.0 TDI 190-PS. Optional is Adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) and you can specify a host of advanced safety features such as Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect, Rear Traffic Alert, Crew Protect Assist function, which closes windows and the sunroof in the event of an impending accident, City Emergency Brake and predictive Pedestrian Protection functions.